American Idol runner-up Willie Spence has died in a fatal freak car crash on 11 October 2022. A report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Marion County medical examiner stated that the 23 year old singer lost his life after his Jeep Cherokee sidetracked off the freeway and collided with the back of a tractor trailer that was stopped on the hard shoulder near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
According to the report, Both Willie and the 68 year old driver of the tractor trailer were wearing seat belts. Marion County medical examiner Barbara O'Neal said the cause of death was multisystem trauma due to motor vehicle accident and that Willie was pronounced dead at the scene on Tuesday (October 11).
A spokesperson for the Tennessee Highway Patrol said the agency is investigating why Spence's car steered off the road. The team behind the singing competition show American Idol released a statement saying Spence was a true talent who lit up every room he entered. The statement read: "We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence. We send our condolences to his loved ones."
Fellow American Idol ex-contestants, now stars, Alyssa Wray said she was so heartbroken in a post that she shared on her Instagram and described Spence as a soul that people were drawn to. Willie Spence, who was from Georgia, finished second to Chayce Beckham on season 19 of the American singing competition, American Idol, last year. Spence's journey on the show began with an audition performance of 'Diamonds' by Rihanna, during his audition in front of judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
Mere hours before the crash, Willie even posted a video of himself singing 'You Are My Hiding Place' on his Instagram profile. Many people have left tributes underneath his latest post. Spence was due to perform in London next month, according to a post on his Instagram.
